Plural magnetic head assembly with independently supporting structure

Abstract

A magnetic stripe head assembly comprised of a support having a plurality of transducer heads mounted on leaf springs attached at one end to the support and at the opposite end to the transducer heads. The leaf springs permit individual translation of each transducer head to compensate for deformities in recorded material. The opposite side of the support provides a stop to limit the translation of the individual transducer head. A pair of gimbal sockets are provided on the support to permit the transducer head assembly to be pivotally mounted.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Signal transducing magnetic head assembly means comprised: a carrier frame,   mounting means on said frame for pivotally mounting said frame,   a plurality of magnetic heads disposed within said frame,   each said head being mounted to said frame by a plurality of parallel elongate leaf springs substantially forming a parallelepiped,   each spring having one end fixedly mounted to said frame and the opposite end fixedly mounted to its corresponding head,   whereby, by flexing of said springs, each said head may translate individually, without rotating, on a line substantially normal to the plane of said frame.   
     
     
       2. The head assembly according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises sockets on opposite ends of said frame whereby said head assembly may rotate about an axis parallel to said elongate springs. 
     
     
       3. Head means in accordance with claim 1, wherein: each said head is relatively thin and the mounting springs of the head are substantially parallel and disposed in the plane of the head so that the translation of the head is substantially in head plane,   the edge of each said head extending out of said frame plane and being adapted to bear against a substantially planar surface,   the individual flexing of each said head permitting substantially uniform bearing pressure of the head against the surface,   thereby to accommodate the head means to lateral non-uniformity of the surface.   
     
     
       4. Head means in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said frame is generally rectangular,   said one end of each said spring being mounted to one side of said frame, and including   stop means on the opposite side of said frame engageable with each said head for limiting the translating excursion of the head.   
     
     
       5. The head assembly according to claim 4 wherein said stop means comprises: an integral flange on the inside surface of said frame opposite the end to which the springs are fixedly mounted,   slots in said heads engageable with said integral flange to act as a stop whereby the flexing of said springs and translational movement of said heads is limited.   
     
     
       6. Signal transducing magnetic head assembly means comprising: a carrier support,   pivotal mounting means on said support for pivotally mounting said carrier,   a plurality of magnetic heads mounted on said support,   each said head being mounted to said support by a plurality of parallel elongate leaf springs substantially forming a parallelepiped,   whereby each said head may translate individually by flexing of said springs, without rotating, on a line substantially normal to the plane of said support.   
     
     
       7. Signal transducing magnetic head assembly means according to claim 6 wherein, each spring has one end fixedly mounted to said support and the opposite end fixedly mounted to its corresponding head.